Device for Stabilizing Stacked Luggage

ABSTRACT

A device for stabilizing an article such as, for example, a piece of carry-on luggage, when stacked atop luggage during the transport thereof The luggage is a rectangular container having a upper surface and a lower surface wherein the lower surface has wheels thereon as well known in the prior art. The upper surface of the luggage has a telescopically extendable handle member attached thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the device is a substantially “L-shaped” member comprised of first and second substantially rigid planar members rotatably connected to each other at abutting edges thereof by hinge means. At least the first member has an aperture in the surface thereof that is dimensioned to snugly accommodate the passage of the handle member therethrough. In use, the first member of the device is placed over the luggage with the handle passed through the aperture and extended upwardly. The second member is rotated away from the first member to form a container between the handle, the first member and the second member. The “U-shaped” container thus formed accommodates and securely holds the article when placed therewithin during stacked transport thereof.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/214402, filed Sep. 04, 2015.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a compact foldable portable device operable for securely supporting an article when the article is placed upon wheeled luggage during the transport thereof.

2. Prior Art

It is well known in the art that it is often convenient to support an article such as a piece of carry-on luggage atop a wheeled luggage piece during the tandem transport thereof. Elastic cords such as bungee cords are widely used for such purposes.

Thomas, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,522,938, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto, discloses a securement system for attaching an article of luggage to another article of luggage. The article securement system includes a cord, such as an elastic cord, that is inserted through a handle. A cord locking mechanism is mounted on the cord. A second handle may be mounted on the cord as well with the cord locking mechanism between the two handles. In use, the cord is secured to a first attachment point on the first article, such as on a luggage handle. The cord and handle are pulled over the second article and engages over a second attachment point on the first article, such as an extendable handle. The cord is then through the handle until the tension is sufficient on the cord to secure the second article. The cord locking mechanism is then used to lock the cord from movement relative to the handle thereby securely holding the second article atop the first. Such cords, locks and handles must be stored following separation of the articles. Notwithstanding the ease of use of cords and straps, there remains a need for storable, light-weight devices operable for providing stabilization of the article during transport thereof.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a stacked luggage stabilizing device and method for using the device that substantially obviates one or more of the limitations of the related art. To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides a device for stabilizing an article such as a first piece of luggage when the article is stacked atop a second piece of wheeled luggage during the transport thereof. The second piece of luggage is a rectangular container having a upper surface and a lower surface wherein the lower surface has wheels thereon of the type known in the prior art. The upper surface of the prior art second piece of luggage has a handle member attached thereto and telescopically extendable upwardly therefrom. The device of the present invention is adapted to securely support an article placed atop the wheeled luggage. The device is a substantially “L-shaped” member comprised of a first and a second substantially rigid member rotatably connected to each other by hinge means. At least the first member has an aperture in the surface thereof that is dimensioned to snugly accommodate the handle member therewithin.

In use, the first member of the device is placed upon the upper surface of the prior art luggage with the aperture overlying the handle. The extendable handle on the luggage is extended upwardly through the aperture. The second member is rotated away from the first member to form an angle of around 90 degrees between members to form a container between the extended handle, the first member and the second member. The “U-shaped” container thus formed accommodates and securely holds an article such as carry-on luggage when placed therewithin during stacked transport thereof.

The features of the invention believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. However the invention itself, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a piece of luggage (shown in phantom) in accordance with the prior art having a device in accordance with the present invention positioned on the luggage to illustrate the snug, mating relationship between an aperture in the device and an extendable handle on the prior art luggage.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view as shown in FIG. 1 further showing another piece of luggage (all luggage shown in phantom) cradled atop the first piece of luggage between the extended handle on the luggage and an opposing surface presented by the stabilizing device of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is an elevational view of the stabilizing device of the present invention in a folded (i.e. non-deployed) configuration when not in use.

FIG. 3B is an elevational view of the stabilizing device of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 3A in a unfolded deployed configuration.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a stabilizing device in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the stabilizing device of the present invention in a folded configuration illustrating an embodiment of the invention wherein a hinge pin rotatably attaches a first plate having at least one aperture therein to a second plate and wherein the device includes mechanical stopping means operable for preventing an angle between the plates from exceeding 90 degrees.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wheeled piece of luggage 11 (shown in phantom) in accordance with the prior art illustrating a device 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention positioned on the luggage 11 to illustrate the snug, mating relationship between an aperture 12 in a handle engaging surface 15 of the device 10 and an extendable handle 13 on the prior art luggage 11. It is common in the art to place an article such as, for example, second piece of luggage (not shown in FIG. 1) atop the luggage 11 while transporting the luggage 11. The device 10 of the present invention provides a planar support surface 14 disposed in opposition to the handle 13 to form a substantially rectangular compartment therebetween wherein an article such as, for example, a second piece of luggage or similar article can be placed and securely held during the tandem transport thereof The handle engaging surface 15 of the device 10 preferably rotatably attached to support plate 14 by hinge means 16 to enable the device 10 to be folded for storage when not in use.

Turning next to FIG. 2, a perspective view of the luggage 11 and device 10 as shown in FIG. 1 further showing a second piece of luggage 20 (all luggage shown in phantom) cradled atop the first piece of luggage 11 in the rectangular container between the extended handle 13 on the luggage 11 and the opposing surface 14 of the stabilizing device 10 of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is an elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the stabilizing device 10 of the present invention in a folded, undeployed configuration for storage. The preferred embodiment 10 includes hinge means 16 attaching abutting edges of the support plate 14 and the handle engaging plate 15. The hinge means 16 further includes a stop means 30 operable for preventing the angle θ (FIG. 3b ) between plates 14 and 15 from exceeding 90 degrees.

FIG. 3B is an elevational view of the stabilizing device 10 of the present invention in an unfolded deployed configuration. The rectangular space between the support plate 14 and the handle 13 of the luggage 11 (FIGS. 1 and 2) provide stabilization of a second piece of luggage placed therewithin as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a stabilizing device 10 in accordance with the present invention. The hinge means 16 includes a hinge pin 41 and a stopping means 40. FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the stabilizing device of the present invention in a folded configuration illustrating an embodiment of the present invention wherein a hinge pin rotatably attaches a planar handle-engaging 14 plate having at least one aperture therein to a planar member 15 and wherein the device includes mechanical stopping means operable for preventing an angle between the plates from exceeding 90 degrees.

In summary, the preferred embodiment of the stabilizing device is adapted for use with a prior art luggage. The prior art luggage has a top surface with an extendable handle attached thereto and a lower surface in opposition to the top surface. The lower surface has a plurality of wheels mounted thereon. The stabilizing device is operable for stabilizing an article placed upon the top surface of the prior art luggage. The stabilizing device comprises: (a) a planar handle-engaging member having at least one straight edge and an aperture therein dimensioned to snugly allow the passage of the extendable handle therethrough; (b) a planar support plate having at least one straight edge; and (c) plate attachment means such as a hinge operable for rotatably attaching a straight edge of said planar handle-engaging member to a straight edge of said planar support member. The rotatable attachment means such as a hinge further includes a stopping means operable for preventing an angle formed between the support plate and the planar handle-engaging plate when rotated apart during deployment from exceeding 90 degrees.

While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example while the shape of the support plate presented herein is substantially planar, it is clear in view of the teaching that the shape of the support plate could be “U-shaped”, forked or have a plurality of apertures therein to reduce the weight of the device. While a low density plastic is the preferred material for fabricating the device, high density materials may also be used. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention. 

What I claim is:
 1. A stabilizing device adapted for use with a prior art luggage, said stabilizing device being operable for stabilizing an article placed upon a top surface of the prior art luggage, wherein said prior art luggage has a top surface with a extendable handle attached thereto and a lower surface in opposition to said top surface, said lower surface having a plurality of wheels mounted thereon, said stabilizing device comprising: (a) a planar handle-engaging member having at least one straight edge and an aperture therein dimensioned to snugly allow the passage of the extendable handle therethrough; (b) a planar support plate having at least one straight edge; and (c) plate attachment means operable for rotatably attaching said straight edge of said planar handle-engaging member to a straight edge of said planar support member.
 2. The device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said attachment means comprises a hinge.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein said hinge further comprises a stopping means operable for preventing an angle formed between said support plate and said planar handle-engaging plate when rotated apart from exceeding 90 degrees. 